Culinary tips

The "Mara des bois" strawberry is a speciality cultivated by fruit and vegetable growers in Geneva, who harvest 100 tonnes of them a year. The unusual, particularly tasty flavour of the "Mara des bois" is reminiscent of wild strawberries. Thanks to its deep red colour, its soft, juicy flesh and exquisite flavour, it has become the favourite strawberry of people in the Geneva area. Available from supermarkets and markets, from May right through to the autumn.

A speciality created in the 1930s by the chocolate makers of Geneva: little cubes of chocolate, dusted with the finest cocoa powder, that melt in the mouth. Pavés are just one of the many delicious chocolate specialities from Geneva, because the city is home to many long-established chocolate making companies (Auer, Arn, Stettler, Zeller etc.). Available from specialist stores.

Calvinus beer is an unfiltered organic beer that has been brewed by the Papinot brothers for 10 years now. It is made from spring water and organically grown barley, hops and yeast; it's fresh and tasty. There are three types: light, wheat and dark. Available in supermarkets and bars in Geneva.

This bread is a local product, the result of a partnership between farmers and the bakers of Geneva. The dough is made solely using local flour and is really tasty and crisp thanks to the traditional fermentation method that is used. Available from a number of bakeries.

Sauser is unfermented grape juice, drunk especially at the Lake Geneva wine festival in Russin, where it is pressed on the Saturday morning, i.e. just a few hours before the festival begins. Sauser goes very well with the fruit tarts and famous "Gâteau polonais" made by the farmer's wives in Russin. Available from a number of cafés in Geneva.

The organic market in Saint Jean takes place every Thursday from 4 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. in the smart district of Saint Jean. The initiative originated with "Bio Genève", a group of organic producers. You can buy fruit, vegetables, bread, wine, beer and various meat products. On the corner of Avenue Gallatin/Chemin Furet.

A tasty dried vegetable and a good source of protein, also rich in amino acids, iron, magnesium and Vitamin B. Since 1995 they have been grown in Geneva in the traditional way, entirely without the use of fertilisers. The "Courtois" farm in Sauverny where they are produced also uses solar energy.

This delicate, high-quality chocolate is a world-famous Geneva speciality. The company, founded in 1826, was initially located on the Pont de l’Ile (in order to use the waters of the Rhone to drive the machinery), but in 1875 it moved to Versoix. Specialities include "Avelines", "Nougalines de Genève" and chocolate fondue.